------------------Not to sure how this classification works, since some classes are classified as melee, when they have spells etc...but....

I think Shifter should be considered both Melee and Caster just like the RDD. Since the RDD has shapes pertaining to casting and melee.

Shifter also has sneaker shapes but only about 3 or 4. So...For those who think shifter shouldn't be listed due to how its overpowered then lets consider the balance being kept by not counting it as a sneaker class.

This is what Moths forum says about the subject.The classifications are made up to restrict DM noted items. An obvious example is high level meleers shouldnt be susceptible to IGMS which there is no save for. So if you are a certain number of melee you can wear a sellable belt that makes IGMS not work very well on you.

Giving shifters access to all DM note items would be nuts. First off, let's not do that.

That said, they were pretty solid when Moth hosted the server, but a number of changes were made for the public release: shapes now use the character's base CON, and all of the shape feats require the one "before" it. Though the latter change is somewhat mitigated by the fact that the shape feats also require less WIS, I'm not particularly convinced that shifters play a real role here. Mind you, I haven't crunched the numbers too thoroughly. Maybe they're "all right". (Does anyone want to crunch some numbers here?)

Bear in mind, however, that Druid/Shifters can take a third class to specialize and gain access to DM noted gear without much, if any penalty to their shifting abilities. In fact, I daresay that any shifter should do so. Unmulticlassed shifters losing out on DM note gear isn't really any different than, say, pure rogues losing out on discipline. Sure, it's a shame that they do. But that's why multiclassing is an option: so you can craft the kind of character that you'd like to play.

most items are class specific. So considering a shifter a melee class wouldn't make it ok for shifters to use fighter specific gear, etc.And i also disagree on shifters being considered universal. (all three) Because yes, that is a bit unbalanced and the caster/melee forms out number the sneaker forms.

Thats why i suggest Caster/Melee for shifter.

The cost/balance in game against shifters is the fact that while in forms they can't use items, that balances things out A lot vs characters who can and do use items during battle and pvp.

Then again the character build is only as powerful as the player playing it. But i have noticed druid/shifter/rogues poping up and no offense to them for my anti shifter being considered sneaker oppinion. (Up to them to sacrifice having all froms being epic and put in more rogue...)

Shifters are not in either for a reason. Shifters are some of the only ways to get +6/+7 weapons. They can get insano DC's and saves and can play roles of either caster, melee, or sneakers. Most the DM noted gear was to give a bump to people who dedicate in their specific class as opposed to those who were well rounded multi-classes.

The RDD class was a late addition to the mod, and probably would have been changed if much more playing or edits had occurred after it came out, as many of it's builds can be out of whack with other max builds on the mod.

They are as much a sneaker class as they are melee and caster. They even have stealth skills!

But since they can specialise in anything really well, there is no real need for them to have the restricted items. Many shapes also give certain immunities similar to some properties found on the specialised gear.

The only issue with them is the late change Moth made to their CON, as mentioned above (Same with the melee RDD form).

If i dont remmeber wrong, the shifters did nto fall under the casueal melee/ranged/caster groups cause they got pretty heavy buffs on their own in the evolved forms, ofcourse the abilities are dependant of shape. Most of all i recall the lich form was almost invunerable to all physical dammage.